Quarrying plans

FRAME (Frome Residents Against Minerals Extraction) are residents campaigning to prevent 1,000 acres of countryside in Dorset being destroyed by open quarrying. Thomas Hardy's 'Vale of the Great Dairies' (Thomas Hardy Society) is threatened by the proposal of three sand and gravel quarries, adjacent to two large already permitted sites. 

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We need to make legal representations to the public inspector stating the case that the proposed minerals extraction will permanently destroy ancient historical and environmental landscape and compromise the local rural economy and communities.

FRAME now desperately needs to raise £1500 to pay for initial legal advice to determine if our if our case is strong enough. Assuming this is successful then we shall be raising further funds to have legal representation at the forthcoming public inspection.

 If these sites remain in the Plan then it will be a foregone conclusion that the quarries will go ahead and destroy the historic landscape, natural environment and likely to cause pollution to the River Frome (a SSSI) which leads into Poole Harbour (a Ramsar EU designated area, SSSI, SPA and SAC). A 1000 acre scar would be created through the Frome valley. The sites will stretch from the current Woodsford quarry eastwards over productive farmland, across the B3390 and onward to the historic village of Moreton. This whole area is a living landscape that supports rural communities.

Conservation Area with so much to protect

Moreton is a Conservation Area with 41 listed or recorded monuments, daily there are many tourists who come to enjoy the tranquility whilst visiting the historic church with its famous Laurence Whistler etched windows, T.E Lawrence's (of Arabia) grave, Tea Rooms, Gardens, and the River Frome Ford. Moreton's new village hall and playing field is opposite the south-eastern-most proposed quarry site. The hall is very popular, not only for its fantastic facilities but primarily for its natural environmental setting and tranquil location. 

The close proximity of two planned quarry sites to the River Frome could cause pollution with contaminated water run-off and changes to the water levels in the surrounding meadows with the inevitable destruction of ancient land drains. The river is a rare chalk stream and has its own unique breed of salmon (only recently discovered). Opposite these two sites and adjacent to the river is the Sculpture By The Lakes park which displays sculptures by the internationally renowned sculptor Simon Gudgeon. The park landscape and gardens are designed by Monique Gudgeon enhancing conservation and wildlife habitats, nestling in 26 acres of glorious Dorset countryside (Sculpture By The Lakes).

Just north of the Woodsford quarry is Woodsford Castle, a Grade 1 listed Landmark Trust property. As the quarrying progresses eastwards it comes close to encroaching on the settings of this 6oo year old building.

How quarrying will affect our local communities

The area is very rural, despite a disparate population FRAME represents 80 residents who live either close to the three proposed quarry sites or in nearby villages that will suffer continuous heavy lorries rumbling by their homes, along unsuitable narrow and winding country roads. The proposed quarry sites are in Moreton, Hurst Farm (off the B3390) and Lower Dairy farm near Woodsford, affecting the villages of Moreton, Pallington, Tincleton, Woodsford through Crossways and onto Warmwell to the south and Affpuddle to the north. All will be adversely affected by heavy lorries, noise, dust, vibration and light pollution. FRAME has submitted responses to two rounds of Dorset County Council (DCC) consultations; a comprehensive group response and as individuals. Many other residents have also submitted their objections to the proposals. There have been no changes to the plans. The DCC will now submit their Minerals Plan to the Secretary of State in March 2018, the plan will then be put before an independent inspector scheduled, for June 2018. This person will decide, having considered the Plan and public consultation responses, if the proposed sites remain in the plan. Once the sites are approved by the Government there will be no chance of stopping the destruction of 1,000 acres of ancient rural Dorset countryside.

In addition to the minerals extraction plan there are proposals for excessively large housing developments across Moreton and Crossways (proposing up to 3004 houses) thus adding to the road traffic and increasing the risks to pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders. A national cycle route traverses the proposed quarry sites.

Legal representation

Our only chance now is to have expert legal support to present our case at a hearing with the independent inspector. Individuals and groups may make representations but we know, from the experience of others, that scant regard is given to their arguments. Professionals with expertise in defense are our only hope of getting a considered hearing. Working with public law firm Leigh Day we intend to make representations to the independent inspector. Initially we need to raise £1500 for legal advise, to ascertain the strength of our case. 

Please help us succeed

If we succeed in the removal from the Plan of these three quarry sites the natural environment will be preserved for the time being. This will not only benefit local residents but help to safeguard the historic environment and subsequently the important local economy. Dorset (and east Devon) is the subject of a National Park Proposal which intends to further develop the tourism economy/employment and promote truly affordable housing - these principles rely on preserving the natural environment and tranquility that is so cherished by national and international visitors to St Nicholas Church, T.E.Lawrence's grave, Thomas Hardy's pilgrims and Sculpture By The Lakes park. 

FRAME has been actively fighting these plans since 2014, and others before us. We believe that the DCC and Landowners have not complied with due legal process and the DCC are acting against it's own stated policy. We have come through two consultation processes and now it is time to prepare for a legal challenge at the independent inspector's hearing, this is our last chance to get the three quarry sites removed from the Plan.

Please donate! Thank you

First we need to establish the legal case, and with initial legal advise from Leigh Day we can then decide whether to pursue our cause further. This is Stage 1, please contribute whatever you can, we need to raise £1500.